How to fix high school football in Vermont

Captains from both team watch the coin flip during the football game between the Mount Mansfield Cougars and the BFA St. Albans Bobwhites at BFA High School on Friday night September 7, 2018 in St. Albans.(Photo: BRIAN JENKINS/for the FRESS PRESS)

While football remains the country's most popular sport for boys — approximately 1.04 million athletes played in 2017; 400,000 more than track and field — participation has declined 6.6 percent in the past decade.

Here in Vermont, those numbers have nosedived at a greater rate, a 17 percent dip between 2006 and 2016.

"Football teaches so many life lessons, it would be a crying shame if it became a shell of what it is."

Bring back 8-man football

Eight-man football was once part of the culture in Vermont high school athletics. Nineteen states currently offer that version of the sport — six others have 6-man football and five have 9-man.

All of which is to say it's neither foreign nor a new concept to consider.

From 1992 through 2006, the Vermont Principals' Association sanctioned an 8-man state tournament for Division IV. Winooski won the first two titles, and then U-32 and Mount Abraham dominated in the 2000s.

Since 8-man was discontinued, Winooski folded its program, as did Montpelier, and U-32 and Mount Abraham entered long-standing cooperative agreements with other schools to maintain teams for the 11-man game.

Today, Division III's Mount St. Joseph, Oxbow and Missisquoi are battling low numbers on a weekly basis. MSJ had to forfeit its Week 1 game vs. Poultney, its former co-op partner, only to play an 8-on-8 glorified scrimmage instead. Meanwhile, Oxbow dropped to a JV-only schedule for last season and Missisquoi is only in its third year of varsity.

All three would benefit from an 8-man division. Perhaps other smaller schools aren't quite there yet — either healthy enough to field a full squad or against the 8-man idea — but the outlook otherwise is grim.

St. Johnsbury coach Rich Alercio said he's open to the return of 8-man.

"I think it’s a great idea," Alercio said. "It's a shame all these schools don’t have football."

More flag football at youth level

An Essex player runs with the ball during the youth football jamboree at the Palmer Field on Aug. 25.(Photo: BRIAN JENKINS/for the Free Press)

Alercio, the former Castleton University coach, is also a proponent of more padded flag football in the youth ranks. He's hardly alone.

"I think sometimes it’s that Neanderthal thinking that football has to be this. People have this preconceived idea of what it should be," Alercio said. "It doesn’t have to be 11-on-11 tackle. You just need kids playing and a football."

Alercio's concerns rest with the injury risks in the first couple years of middle-school tackle.

"I don’t think it’s safe, I don’t think a fifth- or sixth-grader is old enough for contact," Alercio said.

The Northern Vermont Football League has padded flag divisions for grades 1-4 and tackle for grades 5-8. School-run flag programs are on the rise following a VPA mandate last year, but the differing opinions can't be good for the sport's growth.

Burlington, for instance, has separate tackle and flag teams for middle-school aged players. Fair Haven transitioned to flag football only to have a NVYFL team pop up in Castleton, another town in its supervisory union.

And then there is Middlebury, whose flag program has flourished for decades despite existing in isolation.

“My kids can hit. My kids can tackle,” Middlebury coach Dennis Smith said. “We’re playing to win as varsity, we’re not playing to win as JV-A or JV-B. Everything gets taught, the basics, and we build up.”

A Chittenden South player runs with the ball during the youth football jamboree at the Palmer Field on Aug. 25 in Hinesburg.(Photo: BRIAN JENKINS/For the FREE PRESS)

"I would go incrementally, try flag for 5-6 but stick to tackle for 7-8 for a year or two or three, just to see if people will buy in," Gordon said.

Improve the perception of the sport

Colchester head coach Tom Perry talks to his players during the boys high school football game between Middlebury and Colchester at Colchester high school on Friday night August 31, 2018 in Colchester.(Photo: BRIAN JENKINS/for the FRESS PRESS)

Coaches don't deny the inherent injury risks, including concussions, of playing a physical sport such as football. They also believe the sport has become safer in recent years because of concussion protocols, implementation of new tackling techniques and limiting of hitting in practice.

Nonetheless, the sport's violent side has driven players (or more accurately, parents) away.

"If a mom in my town thinks that flag football is safer and all the research says it’s not, but she thinks it is — it is," Colchester coach Tom Perry said. "I think that’s the battle we are fighting right now.

"Parents are not wrong," he said. "They just have to make a decision based on what they know. I would never stand in a room and tell my players’ parents that they are wrong."

So how can coaches convince more parents to let their sons or daughters play football instead of, say, soccer?

At CVU, Williams says he reaches out to the youth program to connect, hosts tailgating parties and runs flag clinics in the winter.

"Anything to show that we are there for the best interests of the kids. We want kids to have fun," Williams said.

Embrace the changing landscape

By now, Vermont's dwindling population of school-age children is a mystery to no one. There simply aren't as many kids as there were 10, 20, 30 years ago, and likely won't be anytime soon.

Those interested and invested in football need to accept what it means for their sport.

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BFA's Nate Loughlin (10) passes the ball during the football game between the Mount Mansfield Cougars and the BFA St. Albans Bobwhites at BFA High School on Friday night September 7, 2018 in St. Albans. BRIAN JENKINS/for the FRESS PRESS

MMU players look to the sideline for a play call during the football game between the Mount Mansfield Cougars and the BFA St. Albans Bobwhites at BFA High School on Friday night September 7, 2018 in St. Albans. BRIAN JENKINS/for the FRESS PRESS

BFA St. Albans huddles together before the start of the football game between the Mount Mansfield Cougars and the BFA St. Albans Bobwhites at BFA High School on Friday night September 7, 2018 in St. Albans. BRIAN JENKINS/for the FRESS PRESS

BFA head coach Geoff Murray talks to the players during the football game between the Mount Mansfield Cougars and the BFA St. Albans Bobwhites at BFA High School on Friday night September 7, 2018 in St. Albans. BRIAN JENKINS/for the FRESS PRESS

BFA's Kalob Norris (20) runs down the field during the football game between the Mount Mansfield Cougars and the BFA St. Albans Bobwhites at BFA High School on Friday night September 7, 2018 in St. Albans. BRIAN JENKINS/for the FRESS PRESS

Captains from both team watch the coin flip during the football game between the Mount Mansfield Cougars and the BFA St. Albans Bobwhites at BFA High School on Friday night September 7, 2018 in St. Albans. BRIAN JENKINS/for the FRESS PRESS

BFA's Nate Loughlin (10) kicks the ball during the football game between the Mount Mansfield Cougars and the BFA St. Albans Bobwhites at BFA High School on Friday night September 7, 2018 in St. Albans. BRIAN JENKINS/for the FRESS PRESS

BFA's Dominic Liscinsky (84) runs with the ball during the football game between the Mount Mansfield Cougars and the BFA St. Albans Bobwhites at BFA High School on Friday night September 7, 2018 in St. Albans. BRIAN JENKINS/for the FRESS PRESS

BFA St. Albans runs onto the field during the football game between the Mount Mansfield Cougars and the BFA St. Albans Bobwhites at BFA High School on Friday night September 7, 2018 in St. Albans. BRIAN JENKINS/for the FRESS PRESS

MMU's Jehric Hackney (35) is tackled by BFA's Owen Bonnet (76) during the football game between the Mount Mansfield Cougars and the BFA St. Albans Bobwhites at BFA High School on Friday night September 7, 2018 in St. Albans. BRIAN JENKINS/for the FRESS PRESS

MMU's Asa Carlson (12) passes the ball during the football game between the Mount Mansfield Cougars and the BFA St. Albans Bobwhites at BFA High School on Friday night September 7, 2018 in St. Albans. BRIAN JENKINS/for the FRESS PRESS

MMU's Harrison Leombruno-Nicholson (11) makes a diving catch during the football game between the Mount Mansfield Cougars and the BFA St. Albans Bobwhites at BFA High School on Friday night September 7, 2018 in St. Albans. BRIAN JENKINS/for the FRESS PRESS

BFA head coach Geoff Murray talks to the players on the field during the football game between the Mount Mansfield Cougars and the BFA St. Albans Bobwhites at BFA High School on Friday night September 7, 2018 in St. Albans. BRIAN JENKINS/for the FRESS PRESS

MMU's Mason Combs (80) passes the ball over BFA"s Adam Forbes (24) during the football game between the Mount Mansfield Cougars and the BFA St. Albans Bobwhites at BFA High School on Friday night September 7, 2018 in St. Albans. BRIAN JENKINS/for the FRESS PRESS

BFA coaches watch the action on the field during the football game between the Mount Mansfield Cougars and the BFA St. Albans Bobwhites at BFA High School on Friday night September 7, 2018 in St. Albans. BRIAN JENKINS/for the FRESS PRESS

MMU's Jehric Hackney (35) runs with the ball during the football game between the Mount Mansfield Cougars and the BFA St. Albans Bobwhites at BFA High School on Friday night September 7, 2018 in St. Albans. BRIAN JENKINS/for the FRESS PRESS

MMU's Corey Peoples (81) intercepts the pass during the football game between the Mount Mansfield Cougars and the BFA St. Albans Bobwhites at BFA High School on Friday night September 7, 2018 in St. Albans. BRIAN JENKINS/for the FRESS PRESS

MMU's Harrison Leombruno-Nicholson (11) runs with the ball during the football game between the Mount Mansfield Cougars and the BFA St. Albans Bobwhites at BFA High School on Friday night September 7, 2018 in St. Albans. BRIAN JENKINS/for the FRESS PRESS

BFA's Nate Loughlin (10) hands the ball off to Adam Forbes (24) during the football game between the Mount Mansfield Cougars and the BFA St. Albans Bobwhites at BFA High School on Friday night September 7, 2018 in St. Albans. BRIAN JENKINS/for the FRESS PRESS

MMU's Harrison Leombruno-Nicholson (11) celebrates an interception and touchdown by MMU's Dylan Davis (28) during the football game between the Mount Mansfield Cougars and the BFA St. Albans Bobwhites at BFA High School on Friday night September 7, 2018 in St. Albans. BRIAN JENKINS/for the FRESS PRESS

MMU huddles together during the football game between the Mount Mansfield Cougars and the BFA St. Albans Bobwhites at BFA High School on Friday night September 7, 2018 in St. Albans. BRIAN JENKINS/for the FRESS PRESS

A referee makes a signal after a play during the football game between the Mount Mansfield Cougars and the BFA St. Albans Bobwhites at BFA High School on Friday night September 7, 2018 in St. Albans. BRIAN JENKINS/for the FRESS PRESS

BFA's Nate Loughlin (10) runs with the ball past MMU's Dylan Davis (28) during the football game between the Mount Mansfield Cougars and the BFA St. Albans Bobwhites at BFA High School on Friday night September 7, 2018 in St. Albans. BRIAN JENKINS/for the FRESS PRESS

MMU head coach Marty Richards talks to the players on the field during the football game between the Mount Mansfield Cougars and the BFA St. Albans Bobwhites at BFA High School on Friday night September 7, 2018 in St. Albans. BRIAN JENKINS/for the FRESS PRESS

BFA's Nate Loughlin (10) runs into the end zone for a touchdown during the football game between the Mount Mansfield Cougars and the BFA St. Albans Bobwhites at BFA High School on Friday night September 7, 2018 in St. Albans. BRIAN JENKINS/for the FRESS PRESS

BFA's Kaleb Norris (20) runs down the field for a seventy yard touchdown during the football game between the Mount Mansfield Cougars and the BFA St. Albans Bobwhites at BFA High School on Friday night September 7, 2018 in St. Albans. BRIAN JENKINS/for the FRESS PRESS

BFA's Nate Loughlin (10) runs with the ball during the football game between the Mount Mansfield Cougars and the BFA St. Albans Bobwhites at BFA High School on Friday night September 7, 2018 in St. Albans. BRIAN JENKINS/for the FRESS PRESS

MMU's Harrison Leombruno-Nicholson (11) celebrates an extra point conversion during the football game between the Mount Mansfield Cougars and the BFA St. Albans Bobwhites at BFA High School on Friday night September 7, 2018 in St. Albans. BRIAN JENKINS/for the FRESS PRESS

BFA huddles together during the football game between the Mount Mansfield Cougars and the BFA St. Albans Bobwhites at BFA High School on Friday night September 7, 2018 in St. Albans. BRIAN JENKINS/for the FRESS PRESS

MMU's Asa Carlson (12) kicks a punt during the football game between the Mount Mansfield Cougars and the BFA St. Albans Bobwhites at BFA High School on Friday night September 7, 2018 in St. Albans. BRIAN JENKINS/for the FRESS PRESS

BFA's Kalob Norris (20) avoids the take attempt by MMU's Dylan Davis (28) as he runs into the end zone for a touchdown during the football game between the Mount Mansfield Cougars and the BFA St. Albans Bobwhites at BFA High School on Friday night September 7, 2018 in St. Albans. BRIAN JENKINS/for the FRESS PRESS

MMU's Asa Carlson (12) runs with the ball during the football game between the Mount Mansfield Cougars and the BFA St. Albans Bobwhites at BFA High School on Friday night September 7, 2018 in St. Albans. BRIAN JENKINS/for the FRESS PRESS

BFA's Dominic Liscinsky (84) runs past MMU's Dylan Davis (28) during the football game between the Mount Mansfield Cougars and the BFA St. Albans Bobwhites at BFA High School on Friday night September 7, 2018 in St. Albans. (BRIAN JENKINS/for the FRESS PRESS) BRIAN JENKINS/for the FRESS PRESS

BFA huddles together during the football game between the Mount Mansfield Cougars and the BFA St. Albans Bobwhites at BFA High School on Friday night September 7, 2018 in St. Albans. BRIAN JENKINS/for the FRESS PRESS

More scrutiny. More hard conversations. Fewer kids with more things vying for their free time. The boom times of the 1980s, 90s and early 2000s are in the past.

“Any coach right now that doesn’t have concerns or isn’t willing to change, you’re going to get bit by it, including myself,” Rutland coach Mike Norman said.

At a time when emerging facts about health and safety routinely become a foxhole of resistance for traditionalists, the priority needs to be placed on kids, not the sport as it was. Basketball adopted the 3-point shot, baseball added the DH, hockey has stiffened penalties for dangerous play.

For 11-man programs, this could mean adapting the junior varsity game to play games with less than that when opponents don't have the numbers. Because, what's important? Playing a NFL-style, regulation game, or giving developing players a chance to develop?

And it might require ditching the cynicism that has greeted the Burlington-South Burlington co-op team. Every state in America allows co-op teams. They've existed in Vermont for years.

If that model ends up being more prevalent the future, well, then that's the future. Sneers and silent contempt for it won't make the game more attractive to anyone.

“Anybody that thinks it couldn’t happen in their school … you’ve got your head in the sand,” Norman said. “If it doesn’t happen, great. But it could. And if it does, you have to change.”

Any progress requires collaboration among those who run and love the sport.

"It’s sad to me that this is dividing people and it’s bringing negative attention to the sport," Gordon said of issues such as the flag vs. tackle debate. "It would be great if there was an easy answer and we could all work together and find an appropriate solution so that the long-term health of the game looks promising."

And, says Colchester coach Perry, something has to give.

"My sign in my office doesn’t say, ‘The definition of insanity is doing the same thing ...,’" Perry said. "Mine says, 'If you are riding a horse and it dies, get off.'"

Contact Alex Abrami at 660-1848 or aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @aabrami5. Contact Austin Danforth at 651-4851 or edanforth@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter at @eadanforth.

About this series

“The State of Vermont High School Football” is a four-part series reported by sportswriters Alex Abrami and Austin Danforth: